Last year, when Kelly told his superiors that he would take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers job, the decision was made to promote Helfrich. That was brief, as Kelly changed his mind. This time, the Ducks are primed to move, and do so with even greater confidence, a source close to the situation told USA Today.

If Chip Kelly leaves for the NFL, Oregon assistant Mark Helfrich is expected to be the guy that replaces him. (AP Photo)

“The comfort level over time has grown a lot higher,” the person told USA Today. “I don’t think anybody wants to see this change happen. But if it’s gonna happen I don’t think anybody has concern with (promoting Helfrich).”

The decision to slide in Helfrich last year was almost done in haste. It was shortly before national signing day and Oregon was concerned about the time it would take to do a national coaching search. And while there has been no formal coach-in-waiting contract, the presumption was that should such a situation develop again, Helfrich would be the choice.

He is known as a good quarterbacks coach and is well-versed in Kelly’s nationally recognized offense. The philosophical and brand continuity is an important factor for the Ducks.

Oregon is such a high-profile program, it could attract elite candidates. However, with the potential of the NCAA hammer dropping on the program for possible recruiting violations involving Willie Lyles, those elite candidates could be reluctant to consider the job anyway. The Ducks know what they’ll be getting in Helfrich—a coach who believes in Kelly’s approach. And that approach led Kelly to a 45-7 record in four seasons heading into Friday’s Fiesta Bowl.

Helfrich coached at Boise State, Arizona State and Colorado before joining the Ducks under Kelly. Kelly inherited the job from former Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, and Bellotti took over following Rich Brooks.

“(Helfrich) can finish Chip’s sentences,” the source told USA Today. “He’s been in that environment long enough (to succeed). It’s a leap of faith, but it’s very similar—I’d almost argue that it was a bigger leap (promoting) Chip than Mark.”